What Are You Telling Yourself that Actually Makes Caregiving More Difficult for You?

Elderly Care in Bethlehem PA: What Are You Telling Yourself that Actually Makes Caregiving More Difficult for You?

Our internal dialogue influences our thoughts and actions far more than we realize and that’s especially true if you’re a family caregiver. What you tell yourself and what you say to others can shape your entire mindset about caregiving.

I Can’t
Henry Ford once had a quote attributed to him that said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” Regardless of whether the quote is correctly attributed to Mr. Ford or not, the premise is correct. If you consistently tell yourself that you can’t make the time to take care of yourself or that you can’t do whatever it is that’s been suggested to you, you’re going to make that a reality for yourself.

I Don’t Have
Another self-fulfilling statement that you might be making is continuing to tell yourself that you don’t have what you need in order to do something. Now, on one level, this could just be a statement of fact. If you’re telling yourself that you don’t have anyone to step in and care for your loved one while you handle other tasks, you just might be overlooking other solutions, such as hiring elderly care providers instead of relying on family members.

Anything with “Never” or “Always”
The problem with “never” and “always” is that they are such exclusive words. Very few situations actually fall into either category and yet when you use those two words, it’s easy to convince yourself that they’re accurate. Removing these words from your vocabulary gives you a little extra room to see the situation from a more accurate vantage point.

I Have To
The danger in this phrase is when it shows up in situations such as, “I have to be the one to take care of my loved one because no one else can.” It can be an indicator that you’re allowing more perfectionist tendencies to take over. You don’t have to do everything. Other people can help out, too. If they’re not volunteering, there are others who will.

Changing what you tell yourself takes work, because these are subconscious messages, but you can do it. If you need extra help, get in touch with a therapist or counselor that you trust.

If you are considering home care in Bethlehem PA, contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Allentown. Call today at (610) 200-6097.

Carole Chiego became a member of the Extended Family Care team in January, 2008. Prior to her role as the Administrator of the Allentown office, she was the Area Director of Operations for a home care company in East Orange, New Jersey. Carole’s extensive experience in home care spans over 17 years. Her work ethic and desire to succeed in the industry are evident in her advancement within the field ranging from Scheduling Coordinator to Medical Records Coordinator to Branch Manager and finally to Administrator and Area Director. She believes assuming these roles has made her a more effective manager.

Carole gained most of her formal managerial training by attending Pennsylvania State University in pursuit of her degree in Health Policy and Administration. She attributes her informal training to have been acquired on a more personal level. Carole understands first-hand what families may experience when allowing a home care provider access to their home while providing care to their loved one. She was a caregiver for two of her grandparents until their passing and believes in the importance of allowing family members the opportunity to remain in the comfort of home if they so desire. Carole is also the mother of a child with multiple medical conditions who requires nursing services in the home. It is because of her personal experiences that Carole understands first-hand how important it is to manage a quality, high-integrity home care agency in which clients and families can place their trust and be confident they are receiving the best care possible. Carole also believes in the importance of giving back to the community. Therefore, she volunteers and spear-heads fundraising activities for a variety of charitable and professional organizations, namely the Pennsylvania Home Care Association, Autism Speaks and Avengers Baseball, Inc.

Carole, a resident of Lehigh County, is married and has 2 children. In her free time, she is the “team mom” for her son’s tournament baseball team, enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and is an avid NY Giants, NY Yankees and Penn State football fan. Carol is a verified Google Author

About the author: Carole Chiego

Carole Chiego became a member of the Extended Family Care team in January, 2008. Prior to her role as the Administrator of the Allentown office, she was the Area Director of Operations for a home care company in East Orange, New Jersey. Carole’s extensive experience in home care spans over 17 years. Her work ethic and desire to succeed in the industry are evident in her advancement within the field ranging from Scheduling Coordinator to Medical Records Coordinator to Branch Manager and finally to Administrator and Area Director. She believes assuming these roles has made her a more effective manager.
Carole gained most of her formal managerial training by attending Pennsylvania State University in pursuit of her degree in Health Policy and Administration. She attributes her informal training to have been acquired on a more personal level. Carole understands first-hand what families may experience when allowing a home care provider access to their home while providing care to their loved one. She was a caregiver for two of her grandparents until their passing and believes in the importance of allowing family members the opportunity to remain in the comfort of home if they so desire. Carole is also the mother of a child with multiple medical conditions who requires nursing services in the home. It is because of her personal experiences that Carole understands first-hand how important it is to manage a quality, high-integrity home care agency in which clients and families can place their trust and be confident they are receiving the best care possible. Carole also believes in the importance of giving back to the community. Therefore, she volunteers and spear-heads fundraising activities for a variety of charitable and professional organizations, namely the Pennsylvania Home Care Association, Autism Speaks and Avengers Baseball, Inc.
Carole, a resident of Lehigh County, is married and has 2 children. In her free time, she is the “team mom” for her son’s tournament baseball team, enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and is an avid NY Giants, NY Yankees and Penn State football fan. Carol is a verified Google Author

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